The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[HOF44]

My only hope is Blough is the next Gibbs and Jones is the next Buddy Ryan.

 

[Solitary Man]

Esa Pole started 4 games last year for the chiefs. Some rumblings that mahomes was upset that they let him go.

 

[HTTR]

He had other plans. Well, the best laid plans…
In this case the Raiders destroyed anyone’s chances to get Linderbaum. Things started unraveling there.

They really didn’t though. They just wanted him more, and bid accordingly. They were willing to pay up to get an elite talent and we were not. So instead we have 30 million plus in unused cap space and a gaping hole in front of our prized QB.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[NoCalSkins]

With the inaction so far on the waiver wire front what is everyone's opinion on the likeliest reason:

They don't view anyone out there as better than anything in-house
They actually like what's in-house a lot more than what has been let on
Purse strings being clutched (which brings with it a list of potential reasons to discuss at another time)

 

[Kalu44]

I agree with SIP, there has to be a Glasgow type of signing imminent. No way they stand pat with what they have now.

 

[Conn]

My only hope is Blough is the next Gibbs and Jones is the next Buddy Ryan.

If they are then they won’t be here long, and coordinators basically never take their mentor’s jobs, so booting Quinn likely wouldn’t help retain them. Especially because if they’re anywhere near that good then Quinn will be winning games and we’ll be stuck with him picking new coordinators again, eventually

We’ve really gotten ourselves into a sticky situation

 

[skinsinparadise]

this is how i feel as to the tweet from that fan below, i am open to Peters surprising me, its possible. But the idea of heck those smart rascals always have something great up their sleave and we just need to be patient to let their plan unfold -- they haven't earned that trust with me.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Mitchell Tischler


Dan Quinn on figuring out center what has he seen from other guys - Matt Gulbin, sometimes with the rookies you see the progress, you see his strength but you don't see him repeating mistakes. Julian Good Jones playing as much as he did this camp, it'll pay dividends getting all those reps and having that experience

 

[DWinzit]

There must be a hell of a lot of us that are blind to what DQ and AP see in Good-Jones.

My eyes see that he doesn't belong in the NFL

 

[SkinsInSATX]

Damn, Good-Jones must have some dirt on AP lol.

 

[heisenberg]

If they are then they won’t be here long, and coordinators basically never take their mentor’s jobs, so booting Quinn likely wouldn’t help retain them. Especially because if they’re anywhere near that good then Quinn will be winning games and we’ll be stuck with him picking new coordinators again, eventually

We’ve really gotten ourselves into a sticky situation

You're looking at the glass half empty.

If blough and Jones are both hot commodities it'd be the best problem we've had in 30 years.

 

[Conn]

You're looking at the glass half empty.

If blough and Jones are both hot commodities it'd be the best problem we've had in 30 years.

For sure, for a year or two. And then we’d be right back to trying to find the next hot coordinators. That’s the risk with having the veteran CEO-style HC.

It’s a problem I’d love to have, don’t get me wrong. I hope it’s something we’re grappling with a year or two from now because it means we had team success and Jayden is a healthy stud. It’s also why I wouldn’t have hired Quinn, though, and said so at the time.

I’d really love to build something lasting. Right now our best bet is that Jayden grows so much and is so damn good that we can swap coordinators under him at will and still get elite offensive production. DC I’d be less worried about longterm if we had a consistently elite O, because you can find veteran DC’s who won’t ever be HC’s again and not have them poached.

 

[KDawg]

Mitchell Tischler


Dan Quinn on figuring out center what has he seen from other guys - Matt Gulbin, sometimes with the rookies you see the progress, you see his strength but you don't see him repeating mistakes. Julian Good Jones playing as much as he did this camp, it'll pay dividends getting all those reps and having that experience

Alllllllll part of the plan.

 

[Dah-Dee]

 

[ntotoro]

How good can a guy be who is almost 30, yet still practice squad-eligible?

 

[Conn]

How good can a guy be who is almost 30, yet still practice squad-eligible?

To be fair every player in the league is now practice squad eligible, if they’re available and willing to sign the contract. Up to six vets of unlimited experience per PS.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Alllllllll part of the plan.

I know you’re joking, but just to be clear-
DQ does this “I know lots of stuff because I am a great coach” song and dance with the press quite a bit.

When Allegretti was hurt, maybe the second time, he had an interview where he talked about how he needed to dive in and look at who’s available. You know, because he is the expert talent evaluator. Rivera did that too but here is a stark difference: Rivera was the de facto GM due to his contract. DQ is… not. Before people come to DQ’s defense, yes I know that line is “ok” but that and similar lines have all been delivered with a smug confidence that is really unbefitting of the situation we found ourselves in repeatedly due to.. DQ.

I agree with SIP at this point, they think they have a C, and we shall see too. Whether they do or not, this has not been a well executed plan this offseason.

The only way we could be in a good position to win out of the gate, at this point, is if the coaches had our OL practice junk they suck at during preseason, and Allegretti was held out as a precaution so he didn’t hurt and jeopardize his awesomeness.

I don’t believe it, but at this juncture with what we actually know, that is the only way they should be confident going into these first few games that are quite important for the season.

 

[Boone]

What these guys say in Press Conferences really doesn't matter. First of all, it does no one any good to trash your own roster in public, even if they have concerns. It is also counter-productive to telegraph your plans or intentions. As fans, we want coaches and front office people to ease our concerns and anxiety, but that's not really their job.

I generally hate Press Conferences of any kind. Rarely do they provide any real information, and especially with guys like Peters and Quinn, the constant cliches really grate for me. If I have to hear Dan Quinn talk about 'spaces' one more time, it will be one time too many. Reminds me of Rivera talking about 'learning and growing' constantly. Good lord.

 

[bowhunter]

I guess the best news is that tomorrow is Sept.1 and we're not still waiting to see if BA shows up at the 9ers camp.